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Brulé
Occasionally an event occurs of such significance that it forever changes the way you perceive life itself. In November, 1993 such an event occurred for Paul LaRoche. Paul, adopted at birth off the Lower Brule Sioux Indian Reservation, discovered his Lakota heritage in 1993 after the death of both adoptive parents. He was reunited on Thanksgiving Day 1993 with a brother, sister, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. The discovery of his true heritage has greatly affected Paul's life and those around him. The influence on his career has been monumental. Overwhelmed by the experience, Paul has turned his powerful feelings to humanitarian causes through music.
It is Paul's mission to be a role model and to use his music to bridge the gap between cultures. In 1999, Paul was selected as a musical ambassador and speaker for the UN Peace Conference held in the Hague Center for Peace, Netherlands. Brule's annual coast to coast tour with his band AIRO (American Indian Rock Opera) has included performances at such venues as the Hollywood premier of the movie Open Range; Indian Art Markets in Denver, Arlington, and Overland Park ,KS; Harbor Fest in Virginia Beach; Indian Summer in Milwaukee; the world-renowned Ordway Theater in St. Paul, various Tribal casinos and many additional outdoor festivals and events. Brule' and AIRO's tour consist of live, outdoor performances up to full-stage concert productions of We the People and Red Nativity.
Brulé & AIRO (American Indian Rock Opera) has become one of the top-selling Native American recording artists with more than a million CDs sold worldwide. With national appearances on Regis and Kathie Lee, CNN Worldbeat, QVC, and others, Brulé & AIRO has come of age. The live performances have created a contagious excitement that is sweeping the nation. Brulé was presented the 1999 "Outstanding Musical Achievement Award" by the The First Americans in the Arts, 2002 "Group of the Year" and "Best Instrumental Recording" for Star People, and 2003 "Best Instrumental Recording" for Night Tree from the Native American Music Academy. In 2006 the Native American Music Academy awarded Brule' "Best Compilation Recording" for his release The Collection, while his band AIRO walked away with "Group of the Year" for its release Tatanka. The 2007 Native American Music Academy awarded Brulé & AIRO with the prestigious “Group of the Year” award as well as the award for “Best New Age Record” and in 2008, Nicole received the highly acclaimed award for “Best Female Artist” and the DVD “Live at Mt Rushmore” won the award for “Best Long Form Video”. The 2009 award for “Group of the Year” was presented to Brulé & AIRO for CD “Lakota Piano”.
Brule & AIRO made history on July 13 & 14 with their spectacular full-stage production that was filmed for a PBS Special live at Mt Rushmore: “Concert for Reconciliation of the Cultures”, with eleven thousand people attending.
Their show combines traditional Native American Dance with contemporary Native American music. This unique combination has been sweeping the nation and the show has been compared to a Native American version of “Cirque du Soleil”. Bruce R. Miller, Journal Sioux City Staff Writer stated “It was just as good as the NY based productions and at times twice as moving” and “the show in fact, was so powerful it should have a national platform-one that could show what most Americans have ignored for far too long”
In 2006, the inspiring biography of award-winning Native American musician Paul LaRoche became available in book format “Hidden Heritage…the Story of Paul LaRoche” and was recently named as an AWARD WINNING-FINALIST in the Biography category in the INDIE EXCELLENCE 2007 NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS.
2009, Paul LaRoche has signed on with RFD-TV to produce 13 -30 minute episodes to premier November, 2009.
Current core band members include: Paul LaRoche on keyboards, Nicole LaRoche (Paul's daughter) on flute, Shane LaRoche (Paul's son) on guitars, and Kurt Olson on Drum Kit. Paul, Nicole, and Shane are enrolled members of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe of SD and Kurt Olson is from Minneapolis, MN
[ Click here for Ticket Information ]
www.brulerecords.com
www.myspace.com/bruleairo
contact: Kathy Summers at ksummers5@cox.net or 480-390-2239 for more information
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